For what it's worth, here is what one of the top software guys in the financial planning field says about choosing a network for financial planning firms:
financialsoftware.com
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Choosing a Network
If you may eventually have more than 20 work stations - select Novell. If you expect to have from 5 to 20 stations, consider Novell or possibly
Windows NT.
Novell has about 60% of the networks in the world. There are thousands of Novell certified network engineers (CNE) who can provide support
should your current consultant no longer be able to serve your needs. This is a very compelling reason for selecting Novell.
Another reason is that Novell has a more rigidly defined structure for how a network should be constructed. While this loses some exotic
opportunities, it means that if your network consultant disappears, it will be much easier for a replacement to assume the maintenance. Or you
can do it yourself with a consultant on the phone.
Windows NT is more flexible. That is an advantage and a drawback. Because it can be configured many different ways, it will be more difficult
for a new network consultant to pick up the electronic pieces. It might also be more difficult for a software vendor to support you since he or she
will have to spend a lot of time figuring out how your unique network is configured.
To use the 32 bit code features of Windows NT you will need a Pentium Pro file server with 32 MB of RAM or more. Network consultants are
now advising a Pentium Pro system with 64 MB of RAM for both the file server and all work station computers in order to have satisfactory
performance with Windows NT. Microsoft says 24 MB, but uses more than 80 MB in its public demonstrations. Plan on 64 MB.
Microsoft is offering Windows NT Server in competition with Novell. It is a true fully-featured network. However, because of the much bigger
installed customer base, there are currently many more third party vendors of Novell-related programs.
If you are just hooking your unit to a secretary to share a common database, you can use Windows for Workgroups or the Windows 95
networking features. However, this will have to be customized and supported by you, with the same potential problem as Windows NT. But it will
work, and quite well once all the units and all your software have been re-configured.
Regardless of your network selection, consider a file server with 64 MB RAM and especially a SCSI caching controller with 16 MB cache
RAM. It should have at least a 4 GB hard drive, a CD-ROM unit and a 4 GB DAT tape drive. A Novell network, with Cheyenne software can back
up the file server and also all the network workstations. You will want to use high rated twisted pair cables and ethernet cards. If you really need
speed, consider 100 MB ethernet cards, provided you have PCI motherboards in all work stations. Even if you use the 10 MB ethernet cards, be
sure to cable wire for the 100 MB standard.
Cost for a 10 unit Novell network (all components except the work stations) including the file server, hardware, software and installation -
about $7,000.
Note:the date of this article and price information was 12-15-96. Prices continue to drop somewhat, especially for the faster chips. Hard drives also now offer greater capacity for small price increases
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